First Trial Fine of 15 Million KRW
Second Trial Sentence of 1 Year 6 Months Imprisonment with 3 Years Probation
Sentenced to Loss of Assembly Membership and Completed Term
The Supreme Court's final ruling on former Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, who is accused of embezzling donations intended to support victims of Japanese military sexual slavery, will be announced on the 14th.
Yoon, who was sentenced to a fine in the first trial, saw the amount of embezzlement recognized in the second trial increase nearly fivefold, resulting in a suspended prison sentence. Although she was sentenced to lose her parliamentary seat, the trial was prolonged, and she has already completed her term as a member of the National Assembly.
The Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Kim Sang-hwan) will hold the final appeal hearing on the 14th for Yoon, who was indicted on eight charges including fraud, quasi-fraud, embezzlement and breach of trust in the course of duty, violation of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, violation of the Subsidy Act, and violation of the Local Finance Act.
Yoon was indicted in September 2020 on charges of privately using funds raised from 2011 to 2020 to help victims of sexual slavery, falsely receiving subsidies from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and collecting donations into organizational and personal accounts without registration with the competent authorities.
The first trial court recognized only the embezzlement of 17.18 million won as guilty and sentenced her to a fine of 15 million won.
However, in September last year, the appellate court significantly expanded the scope of guilt and sentenced her to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension.
The second trial court increased the amount of embezzled donations to 79.58 million won and also found her guilty of collecting 129.67 million won into a personal account under the name of condolence money for Grandmother Kim Bok-dong and using it for other purposes.
She was also found guilty of fraudulently claiming 65.2 million won in government subsidies from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family by falsely calculating personnel expenses.
While a sitting member of the National Assembly loses their seat if sentenced to imprisonment or higher (including suspended sentences) during their term, Yoon completed her term in May without a final verdict being reached.
Kim, a former director of the Justice and Memory Foundation who was indicted alongside Yoon, was sentenced to a fine of 20 million won in the second trial.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
